Securing jobs and investment for the ACT in a renewable energy economy

Securing jobs and investment for the ACT in a renewable energy economy

Released 01/05/2015

A new strategy to bring together industry and research sectors to accelerate the development of a renewable energy industry in the ACT was launched by Minister for the Environment Simon Corbell today.

“The ACT Government sees renewable energy as a tremendous opportunity, not only in terms of playing our part to address climate change and bring renewable energy to the people of Canberra, but also to create jobs, and to build a stronger, more diverse and robust ACT economy,” Mr Corbell said.

Focussing on solar, wind and energy storage, the Renewable Energy Industry Development Strategy will bring together a range of existing government renewable energy initiatives and facilitate the next generation of renewable energy technologies, including the creation of a renewable energy precinct and test berth facilities.

“The strategy includes the $1.2million Renewable Energy Innovation Fund, which was developed as part of the ACT Government’s 200MW wind auction,” Mr Corbell said.

“This fund could be used in the future to provide competitive, project-specific grants or small-scale contracts to emerging ACT-based renewable energy businesses.”

In developing the strategy, the ACT Government has worked with and gained the support of a broad range of industry stakeholders spanning the research and training communities, industry, and the venture investment community.

“Through the 40MW solar and 200MW wind auctions, the ACT Government is on track to meet its target of achieving 90% renewable energy by 2020, and bring renewable energy to the people of Canberra at the lowest possible price,” Mr Corbell said.

“We have also helped position Canberra as a leader in the renewable energy sector and this strategy is designed to ensure that we continue to be a national leader in this sphere.

“There are significant economic benefits to be had from being early adopters and I want the ACT to benefit from the jobs and investment that a renewable energy economy has to offer.”